Lilly Endowment Donates $3.5 Million For American Red Cross Disaster Relief FundAmerican Red Cross Gift to support services to victims of Hurricane Isabel and thousands of other disasters In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Isabel and the critically low balance in the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Lilly Endowment Inc. has donated $3.5 million to the American Red Cross to assist with immediate relief efforts for victims of the hurricane and other disasters. The Red Cross hopes the Endowment's gift will encourage other corporations and foundations to do the same.  "This generous gift from the Lilly Endowment will help us to continue our lifesaving efforts to meet the needs of disaster victims across the country," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the Red Cross. "Time and time again, they have supported our programs and services when we've needed them most." Since its $10 million contribution immediately following the September 11, 2001 tragedies, the Endowment has made a total of $8.5 million in contributions to support Red Cross efforts ranging from disaster response to services to members of the American military and their families. The Endowment's contributions have been an important complement to the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP.) A premier group of organizations that have committed to provide ongoing support for the Disaster Relief Fund, ADGP members help secure a reliable funding base for disaster relief services that enables the American Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by disaster anywhere in the country, regardless of cost. "For more than 60 years, Lilly Endowment has been pleased to support Red Cross efforts to minister to people suffering from forces beyond their control. We are continually impressed with the way its mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies is coupled with the caring philosophy that is prevalent in its programs and services," said Endowment President N. Clay Robbins. "Through the use of the Endowment funds, the Red Cross helps our resources reach more people and touch more lives." Initial Red Cross costs for Hurricane Isabel response are estimated at $14-16 million, and this effort comes at a time when the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is virtually empty. The Fund allows the organization to provide immediate emergency assistance to the victims of everything from single family fires to severe storms to damaging hurricanes. Even with the help of the Endowment gift and the ongoing support of ADGP members, only a fraction of the dollars needed to meet the costs of this disaster have been donated. Since September 16, a total of $8,062,462 in cash and in-kind gifts has been donated or pledged to the Disaster Relief Fund. ABOUT THE LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.: The Endowment is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family to support the causes of community development, education and religion. AMERICAN RED CROSS ANNUAL DISASTER GIVING PROGRAM MEMBERS American Express Foundation
For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org |
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